Technical Abstract:
It is intuitive that final kernel number depends on the number of receptive silks exserted, intensity of pollen shed when silks are exposed, and maintenance of kernel growth after fertilization. Yet it is rarely possible to determine which of these parameters actually limited kernel number in a given environment because the appropriate data on flower development are lacking; it is just too difficult to obtain such information in the field. This study was undertaken to identify simple quantitative measurements of the flowering process in maize that could be used as predictors of potential and actual kernel production. The approach couples detailed quantitative measurements of the intensity and duration of silk emergence and pollen shed in the field with simple measurements of floral development for individual plants within the population. These data are used to establish limits for potential kernel production and final grain yield on an area basis.